WASHINGTON, DC/3/14/08–Bookstore sales for January 2008 showed a solid 4.7% increase to $2.28 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, close to overall retail sales of 4.8%. Other sales reports from bookstore chains showed slow growth.

In February 2008, The American Booksellers Association reported that retail bookstore sales exceeded last year’s results for the sixth consecutive month. Quoting the Bureau of the Census, the ABA said December 2007 bookstore sales increased 2.7 percent over December 2006. The December 2007 sales were an estimated $2,113 million, compared to December 2006 sales of $2,057.

The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of November 2007 figures upward slightly, from $ 1,186 million to $1,187 million, bringing the increase in bookstore sales this November to 7.6 percent, the ABA said. All told, bookstore sales were up by an estimated 1.1 percent during 2007 as compared to 2006.